Trustworthiness is the reliability and confidence on a person which comes when the person has values like fidelity and integrity. It is the linchpin of public services and the Social Contract between the State and the citizens, is written in the Ink Of Trust.
A Public servant has distinct position in the eyes of the society. However, when public servant acts contrary to his duty then it not only affects the image of the person himself but also undermine the prestige of the Institution as a whole. For ex. – when some corruption scam by a politician is exposed, then it becomes a common theme that all politicians would be painted with the same brush as corrupt due to selective perception by the public.But as always institutions are above people, and a single dishonest public servant doesn’t tarnish the image of the institution. There is always a scope for setting the things right. Timely punishment to those miscreants/corrupt would help regain the trust.
But as Kautilya (Arthashastra) pointed – It is difficult to know whether the fish is swimming in water or drinking it. Thus Civil Servants are driven and governed by code of conduct and code of ethics whichare unwritten benchmarks of service to which the office must comply and they are judged collectively. As character is like a mirror, even small cracks show the character of the public servant holding high position in society is utmost important. Simultaneously having effective institutions which can correct the blemishes and re-establish the trust are also important.
